Electric-wire-connecting device



May 20 1924. 1,494,690

E. LACY ELECTRIC WIRE CONNECTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 20. 1920 Patented May 2o, i924.

UNITED STATES ERNEST LACY, OF RICHWOOD, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC-WIRE-CONNECTIG j DEVICE.

Application filed September 20, 1920. Serial No. 411,477. f

To all whom t may concern." j

Be it known that I, ERNEST LACY, a citizen of the United States, residing atRichwood, in the county of Gloucester and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'Electric-Wire- Connecting Devices, of which the following is a speciiication.

One object of my invention is to provide improved means for clamping or holding electric conduit wires to boxes suchas outlet, conduit and junction boxes, where it is desirable to firmly hold the wires in position so as to facilitate the making of a connection and also so as to take the strain olf the connecting parts. As such, my invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with outlet boxes which are embedded in walls and partitions; the clamping parts being positioned within the box so that they can not become accidentally separated from the box during the workl of the electrician.

Another object is to make my invention of a simple and durable construction and so that it can be easily manipulated.

These objects, and other advantageous ends, which will be described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in whichu Figure 1 is a front elevation of an outlet box made in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is an inverted plan view of Figure l, showing the parts in position clamping two conduit wires at one side,

Figure 3 is a view of similar character to that shown in Figure 2, illustrating the parts in their normal unlocked positions,

Figure 4 is a section of Figure 2, the section being taken through the cam bolt, plate jaws and conduit holes of the box, and

Figure 5 is a face view of the cam bolt detached.

Referring to the drawings, 6 represents a box such as an outlet box which at its inner part has two oppositely beveled wall portions 7 and 8; said wall portions having holes 9 therein, through which conduit wires 10 can be projected; said conduit wires being covered with insulation 11 known as loom. The extreme inner wall 12 of the box is made fiat, and has a central pivot hole 13 through which extends a pivot 14. The pvot 14 has a square portion 15 which fits in a square hole 16 in a spreader inthe form of a cam 17. The pivot 14 has a head 18, which abuts the surface 19 of the cam; said head preferably being provided with a groove 20 in which a screw driver canbe inserted. The opposite end of the pivot 14 is provided with a rivet or button head 21; thus the pivot is rotatably secured to the wall 12, and the cam is rotatably connected to the pivot s0 that by inserting. a screw driver in the groove 20, the cam can be swung into various positions. j j

Twokplates or clamping jaws 22-and 23 have portions 24 which are arranged in alignment with the cam 17 adjacent the fiat wall 12 of the box. These plates are slidably or movably mounted within the box, and forthis purpose have slots 25 through which pins 26 pass; said pins being secured to the wall 12 of the box and provided with heads 27 `which are wider than the slots 25. Each of the plates 22 and 23 have angularly bent portions 28 which are provided at their outermost edges with toothedpor serrated recesses 29, which are arrangedfin line with the conduit holes 9 and positioned adjacent the inner surfaces of the beveled wall portions 7 and 8. The opposite ends of the cam 17 are curved in opposite directions as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3,y and when the pivot 14 is turned thejaws 22 and 23 will be `moved in opposite directions 'due to the engagement of the edges of the cam with the adjacent edges of the plates 22 and 23. This action will cause the toothed portions of the recesses to dig into or bite the insulation-or loom of the conduit wires, such as the conduit wires 10 and thereby firmly hold the conduit wires to the box. I preferably provide the lower portions of the holes 8 and 9 with notches or teeth 31, which are opposed to the teeth of the jaw recesses 29 so that the clamping action above described will firmly clamp the insulation of the wires. I also provide the edges 30 of the plates 22 and 23 with cavities 32 for receiving the opposite ends of the cam or spreader; said cavities having abutting shoulder portions 33 forming a stop for the opposite ends of the cam. After the cam bolt has been initially turned into engagement with the edges 30 of the plate jaws, the teeth of the plates will sink into the insulation and when the ends of the cam become opposite the cavities 32, the resilient characteristic of the insular tion will cause the plates to move slightly together, so as to firmly hold and lock the cam against accidental movement out of said cavities.

The above described construction permits an electrician by a single movement of a screw driver to turn the cam to clamp the electric conduit wiies to a boX and since the parts are all within the box there is no possibility of any of the parts becoming separated or in a position out of reach of the electrician. The parts are all loosely connected so that there will be no jamming action to cause undue friction therebetween. As illustrated the two conduit wires enter the box at one side, however, it will be noted that other conduit wires can enter through the opposite side of boX and all of the conduit wires will be simultaneously clamped by a single movement of the cam.

While l have described my invention as taking apa-rticular torni, it will be understood that the various parts or" my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth,

but consider that I am at liberty to malte such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

`Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is `l. A boX 'of the character described, the receiving end,y of the boX including a flat central wall part and oppositely and inwardly inclined wall parts, the latter having oppositely disposed holes adapted to receive conduits; clamping jaws sli'dably mounted within the receiving end, each having a flat part and an'angular part corresponding to an inclined wall part, the edge of the angular part having notched recesses adapted to engage a conduit; a spreader pivi provided with openings adapted to receive conduits, said walls being disposed. in angular relation to said base; plates slidably mounted against the inner face ot' the base and (Jo-operating with the walls o'l" the opening to clamp the conduits, said plates having cavities at their inner edO'es; and a spreader rotatably mounted against the inner tace ot the base between the plates for engaging the latter upon beingA turned so as to move the plates into clamping position and when moved in the reverse direction to release the plates,l said cavities being engaged by the cam to lock the latter in spreading position; substantially as described.

8. The combination with a boit of the class described having a base portion and walls provided with openings adapted to receive conduits, said walls being disposed in angular relation to said base; plates slidably mounted against the inner 'face of the base and co-operatiiig with the walls of the opening to clamp the conduits, said plates having cavities at their inner edges; and a spreader rotatably mounted against the inner tace of the base between the plates for engaging the latter upon being turned s0 as to move the plates into clamping posi` tion; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence lof two subscribing witnesses.

i'iRNEsT Laer.

Witnesses:

ELIZABETH GARBE, CHAs. E. PoTTs. 

